WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – With a four-game winning streak under its belt, the Lycoming College women’s soccer team will head to Susquehanna University on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for the fourth annual River Derby at the Sassafras Fields in Selinsgrove, Pa.
The Warriors and Crusaders have played every year since 1994, but the River Derby was started in 2007 as a trophy game to compliment the men’s soccer version of the rivalry, the Battle of the Boot. In the first three meetings in the trophy game, the teams have never been separated by more than one goal, with the 2007 and 2009 games both going into double overtime.
In 2009, the teams battled to a 2-2 tie, with both senior Kari Shaner (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) and sophomore #Leslie Kester# (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) scored for the Warriors. However, the tie kept the derby trophy in Selinsgrove for a third straight year.
The Warriors (4-1 overall) are led by two of the top five scorers in the Commonwealth Conference in seniors #Kati Shaner# (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) and #Kaitlin Horn# (Ringtown, Pa./North Schuylkill). Shaner has seven goals and three assists for 17 points this season and Horn has added four goals and three assists for 11 points.
The Crusaders (3-3 overall) also enter the game on a positive note, having won the last two games, beating Neumann, 1-0, and Lebanon Valley, 2-1. Rachel Norbuts has been solid in goal for the Crusaders, posting a .778 save percentage and earning Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors on Monday. Caitlin Murphy leads the team with two goals and four points.
Directions to Sassafras Fields
Take US-15 South towards Selinsgrove, going about 35 miles. Once you pass the Susquehanna Valley Mall on your right, stay straight onto US-522S. Continue straight at the light onto N. Market Street, which will take you through Selinsgrove. After you pass the Sunoco service station, turn right onto Sassafras Street. Continue until you come to the field on your left.
